Leipzig's late-minute spoiler denies Bayern Munich a champion's victory in the decisive encounter.
Title Tussle in Turmoil: Bayern's Champion's League Party Postponed as RB Leipzig Claw Back
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The grand championship celebration is delayed - but Bayern Munich is on the brink of clinching their 34th title. Despite a 3:3 draw against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga finale on Saturday, Bayern is virtually unstoppable.
"It's a bit odd with that equalizing goal. I feel like a champion, but we're not quite there yet," Thomas Müller told Sky. "It's a shame," said sporting director Christoph Freund, commenting on the record champion's loss of a hard-fought 3:2 lead in the final seconds, but added with a grin: "We're practically champions. There have been worse draws than today."
Barely a week remains for Bayern to officially secure the trophy. On Sunday, if Bayer Leverkusen fails to win against SC Freiburg (5:30 PM), the title will be Bayern's. Even if Leverkusen wins, Munich would still have a six-point lead with two games left, with a currently superior 30-goal difference. The championship trophy should then be presented on the following Saturday (6:30 PM) after the home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Allianz Arena.
At the start in Leipzig, eyes were on two Bayern stars who didn't make the field. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returned to the squad after his muscle tear, but only made the bench. Striker Harry Kane, suspended, was in Bayern attire on the stand, snapping selfies - and watching Munich struggle.
It wasn't Bayern's frontline, with Müller as Kane's replacement up front, creating the early pressure. Instead, Leipzig's Amadou Haidara (2.) almost took the lead, but Jonas Urbig, Neuer's replacement, made a sensational save. Only then did Bayern, through Serge Gnabry (9.) and Leroy Sané (10.), approach the Leipzig goal for the first time.
As Bayern seemed to be picking up momentum, Urbig had a moment of madness. After a poor pass from Michael Olise, RB playmaker Xavi set up the sprinting Sesko. Despite Urbig slipping out of the goal, Sesko launched the ball over the shocked keeper from approximately 35 meters. The favorites tried to counterattack but were rarely a threat.
Football fans will remember this game for Bayern's quite sloppy defense. After their own corner, they were caught off guard, allowing Xavi to set up Sesko (20'), but his weak shot was saved by Urbig. Leipzig's Klostermann headed unchallenged into the net from David Raum's flawless free-kick for a well-deserved 2:0.
The situation remained unchanged after the break. Bayern struggled for ball control, while RB defended fiercely. It took a game-changer - and Dier provided it. The Englishman, set to leave Munich in the summer, powered a header in from Olise's corner. Moments later, Olise himself clinically finished from the edge of the box.
Bayern pressed hard and created numerous chances after that, with Sane (64') and Goretzka (66') being thwarted by RB goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, Konrad Laimer (69') heading over from close range, and Olise hitting the post (79'). Finally, Sane saved Bayern from a major embarrassment, but Leipzig struck back at the death - and spoiled Bayern's party. Kane, who had yet to win a significant title despite his career goal tally, had already rushed to the sidelines to celebrate - only to watch in horror as the big celebration was postponed by a week.
- Football Bundesliga
- Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig
- Amidst the excitement of Bayern Munich's impending 34th title in the Community of European-leagues, their Champions League celebration has been postponed due to their draw against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga finale.
- Despite the setback, Bayern Munich is still on the brink of securing the title, with Bayer Leverkusen's game against SC Freiburg being their last obstacle on Sunday.
- Vocational training in sports, especially football, was evident as Bayern Munich struggled defensively against RB Leipzig, allowing Leipzig to score two goals and spoil Bayern's party.
- Shame was shown on the face of Harry Kane, who watched Bayern Munich struggle from the stands, as his potential winner's trophy was postponed by a week.
